Friends had a baby before us and used the name we loved

I don’t think it’s weird, if you like the name then use it.
If you’re worried then maybe just say to them ‘congrats on birth of … how funny that’s the name that we’ve also picked for our baby!’ So you’re telling them straight away

Me and my partner picked out a name.
Then we had a family member that had their baby before us and picked the same name we liked. (Don’t get me wrong they didn’t know we liked that name so it wasn’t their/our fault what so ever.) but in the end we decided on not going for the same name as it would definitely look like we copied.

I guess it depends if you care? If you’re not bothered you may want to tell your friend you are planning (and always were) on using the same name after they’ve settled in with their LO.

Personally I don’t think I could still use it but that’s just my feelings on it. 🤷‍♀️

With my first pregnancy. My cousin and I were pregnant at the same time.
I was due a month before her. We didn’t discuss names, but eventually she told me that her husband picked out the name that me and my husband had picked out for our son. Also an uncommon name. In recent years at least.
I did tell my cousin that I was going to name my son the same name. And we laughed and joked about how they’ll be two kids in the family with the same name.
Eventually she did decide to change the name of her child.
I wasn’t mad at her for wanting the same name, it was her own decision to change the name of her child.

@N 💞 I agree with you on to tell them right away, and maybe you and your partner should tell your friends just to make it is more of a clearer understanding and so they know that it indeed was coincidence, and not just copied.

I would just use it. I have friends who know each other four of them chose the same name, Alex. They just start the sentence with my Alex. No one cared, no one asked each other, it is a name. It depends if your friend would throw a fit I suppose. Even then if that was my name I would not stray from it.

I think it’s fine to use whatever name you want. Personally I’d pick a different name as it wouldn’t feel like MY babies name.
But you’re not wrong for sticking with your name. I would just be put off it I think.

It would put me off - I loved Evelyn and then realised how popular it was - and that it was shortened to Evie. 2 of my friends have Evies so it put us off naming her that.

I agree it would put me off & I would regret not picking something else.
That’s why we had 2 names picked out until she was born.. I had the fear this would happen 🤣

Out of curiosity what is the name?

We also have this problem! We moved to a new area newly pregnant and a family we made friends with at church had a 9 month old with one of our top two names! (also very uncommon) . We see them outside of church maybe once a month or less.

At the moment I’m thinking that if he comes out looking like that name we will name him it anyways and just casually tell them that it was funny that when we met them it was on our short list already. It has definitely a bummer to us because I’m sure it’ll be a little awkward and we wanted that uniqueness so it might still put us off…

The fact that the name is unusual is what would make me NOT use it now. My name is pretty unique and I have a younger cousin with the same name - it definitely has raised eyebrows. At the same time, I know someone whose son is David, and her best friend's son is David. It's such a common name that no one has thought twice about it and it hasn't been weird at all.

Maybe mention to them that you had picked that one out as well and see how they take it. If they act like you're trying to copy them, then you'll know to pick a different one, but if they're understanding, then keep it.

I don’t think it’s wierd! Also imagine if down the line your friendship drifted or anything like that and you had not chosen that name 🫠

For me it’s all about how often your babies are likely to spend time together and how many people will interact with both regularly. Will it be annoying for your baby growing up to be the second of that name, or realistically will it make no difference

I think it would be a problem if you use the same name

When I was born I was called Katie-Louise. After a few days my parents decided they didn’t like it and changed it to Lisa. 18 months later, my cousin was born and my auntie named her Katy… I think it’s a little weird but it doesn’t bother me